Download Planet with longest year

The following data for the Sun and the four inner planets of the Solar System have been observed.
Mean Distance
from the Sun
(million
kilometers)
Sun
Diameter
(kilometers)
1,400,000
Mercury
58
4,900
Venus
108
12,100
Earth
150
12,800
Mars
228
6,800
In a simplified model of the Solar System, the planets revolve around the Sun in circular orbits, all in
the same plane. Each planet has a different period of revolution. Also, each planet is a sphere that
rotates about an axis through its center, but with a different period of rotation. In this model the axis
of rotation of each planet is perpendicular to the plane of the orbit.
NAEP released item, grade 12
1. The table below gives additional information about the planets: their periods of revolution about the
Sun and rotation about their axes.
Planet
Mean Distance
from the Sun
(million kilometers)
Period of
Revolution
(Earth time)
Period of
Rotation
(Earth time)
Mercury
58
88 days
59 days
Venus
108
225 days
243 days
Earth
150
365 days
23.9 hours
Mars
228
687 days
24.6 hours
Which planet has the longest year in Earth time?
A) Mercury
B) Venus
C) Earth
D) Mars
NAEP released item, grade 12
Key
1. The table below gives additional information about the planets: their periods of revolution about the
Sun and rotation about their axes.
Planet
Mean Distance
from the Sun
(million kilometers)
Period of
Revolution
(Earth time)
Period of
Rotation
(Earth time)
Mercury
58
88 days
59 days
Venus
108
225 days
243 days
Earth
150
365 days
23.9 hours
Mars
228
687 days
24.6 hours
Which planet has the longest year in Earth time?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
2000 National Performance Results
Score
Percentage of Students
Correct
Incorrect
84%
16%
Omitted 0%
Note:
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These results are for public and nonpublic school students.
Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.
The Fields of Science: Earth & Space Sciences (Sub content classification: Earth in Space)
Knowing and Doing Science : Conceptual Understanding
NAEP released item, grade 12
The Fields of Science
Earth & Space Sciences
This question measures basic knowledge and understanding of the following:
Earth in Space
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setting of the Earth in the solar system;
setting and evolution of the solar system in the universe (not in grade 4);
tools and technology that are used to gather information about space;
apparent daily motions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars;
rotation of the Earth about its axis, and the Earth's revolution around the Sun;
tilt of the Earth's axis that produces seasonal variations in climate; and
earth as a unique member of the solar system that may be approximated in other galaxies in
the universe, and that evolved at least 4.5 billion years ago.
Knowing and Doing Science
Conceptual Understanding
Conceptual understanding includes the body of scientific knowledge that students draw upon when
conducting a scientific investigation or engaging in practical reasoning. Essential scientific concepts
involve a variety of information, including facts and events the student learns from both science
instruction and experiences with natural environment; and scientific concepts, principles, laws, and
theories that scientists use to explain and predict observations of the natural world.
NAEP released item, grade 12